Disturbing details found in Fair Haven suspect's 'Journal of an Active Shooter'

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Updated: 6:40 PM EST Feb 21, 2018

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WEBVTT >> ONE OF THE REAL CHALLENGESRENEE: CHILD PSYCHIATRIST DAVIDACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTSHE ALSO KEPT NOTES IN HISDR. RETTEW SAYS WHAT’SCRACKS WE HAVE BACKGROUND ANDIT CAN BE DIFFICULT.IT WILL SURPRISE US IN BOTH-- ACT ON THESE THOUGHTS.RENEE: BUT POLICE ARE THE ONESLT. DOUGLAS ALLEN SAYS POLICEX YOU WORK TO INVESTIGATE WHATRENEE: DOCTORS AND POLICE SAYBUT THEY ADD THAT YOUNG PEOPLE

A private journal recovered by police is now a key part of the investigation into 18-year-old Jack Sawyer of Poultney, Vermont.He's facing attempted first-degree murder charges in connection with an alleged plot to kill people at Fair Haven Union High School. But how do you tell if a young person is making a serious threat? "One of the real challenges is, despite all our background and expertise, we're not that great on predicting the future," University of Vermont Medical Center child psychiatrist Dr. David Rettew said. He said it's not unusual for young people to have dark thoughts, or even to write them down. According to court documents, Sawyer, 18, wrote about hurting himself and others. He also kept notes in his "Journal of an Active Shooter," listing what guns to buy, how much they'll cost, writing, "…it's about killing as many people as I can." Rettew said what's concerning is if thoughts like those in the journal turn into plans for action. "Even when we have background and we have known risk factors, it's relatively imprecise. And so it can really be difficult because people will surprise us in both directions and people who look really dangerous may actually never act on those thoughts and people who have very few warning signs can sometimes do horrific things," he said. Lt. Douglas Allen at Colchester Police Department told NBC5 law enforcement officers are always judging how bad things are - or could become. "Law enforcement is not set up to deal with those mental health issues," Allen said. "(Police) work to investigate to see what was behind that. What was behind that threat, behind that statement, behind that action." Doctors and police said the most important way to keep a tragedy from happening is to report any concerns. But they add that young people shouldn't be afraid to ask for help.

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

A private journal recovered by police is now a key part of the investigation into 18-year-old Jack Sawyer of Poultney, Vermont.

He's facing attempted first-degree murder charges in connection with an alleged plot to kill people at Fair Haven Union High School.

"One of the real challenges is, despite all our background and expertise, we're not that great on predicting the future," University of Vermont Medical Center child psychiatrist Dr. David Rettew said.

He said it's not unusual for young people to have dark thoughts, or even to write them down.

According to court documents, Sawyer, 18, wrote about hurting himself and others.

He also kept notes in his "Journal of an Active Shooter," listing what guns to buy, how much they'll cost, writing, "…it's about killing as many people as I can."

Rettew said what's concerning is if thoughts like those in the journal turn into plans for action.

"Even when we have background and we have known risk factors, it's relatively imprecise. And so it can really be difficult because people will surprise us in both directions and people who look really dangerous may actually never act on those thoughts and people who have very few warning signs can sometimes do horrific things," he said.

Lt. Douglas Allen at Colchester Police Department told NBC5 law enforcement officers are always judging how bad things are - or could become.

"Law enforcement is not set up to deal with those mental health issues," Allen said. "(Police) work to investigate to see what was behind that. What was behind that threat, behind that statement, behind that action."

Doctors and police said the most important way to keep a tragedy from happening is to report any concerns.